Multi-Channel Marketing an Example: ETIOS by Toyota

So how many of you are not aware that Toyota has launched a Vehicle named “ETIOS”? I have not met many. I am a person who can endlessly browse the web to find news related to new cars and their reviews. I followed the complete Toyota ETIOS story very closely. I personally feel that this is one of the best examples for Multi-Channel Marketing. I am no expert at this but with my limited knowledge this is what I felt…

Given the importance of this vehicle for Toyota globally, Toyota created a campaign that engaged and informed the customers over the last 10 months.

Jan 2010…Toyota showcased the vehicle at the Delhi Auto Expo. The same day a TVC was launched to communicate about ETIOS. They came up with a very innovative Logo…The “I” in ETIOS has been written as the Indian TEEKA( a symbol of good luck and blessings of victory). The tag line also was chosen to aptly describe the essence of the vehicle “India First World First”. The whole positioning of the vehicle was very Indian. High time Toyota realized that India will play a major role in their Global Position as a Market leader. At the same time the Facebook and Twitter accounts were created. The initial buzz was created. Challenge at hand was… how to maintain this till the launch that was scheduled for the year end.

Again a very innovative TVC and Media campaign…”Q Promise” a campaign focused at demonstrating and placing Toyota as a Quality driven organizations. This was followed by an all India Tour “Q World Caravan” with the ETIOS concept. The choice of cities was very unique here…Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Cochin, Chennai, Bangalore, Calicut, Goa, Hyderabad, Vijaywada, Coimbatore, Bangalore, Bhubaneshwar, Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Varanasi, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Indore, Surat. At first glance one can make out that this is just not a random selection of cities, these are cities that hold lot of potential and are slowly turning out to be biggest markets after the metros. This event ended at Surat on the 15^th August 2010…symbolic gesture to project that the ETIOS is for India.

In the mean time the social channels were very effectively used to drive the concept and the research that went behind creating this car. Social channel is the only channel that has the strength and merit of creating a 2 way communication. Toyota rightly used this to create a community that can discuss the Car and provide feedback and reactions to the ongoing campaigns. Exemplary use of social channel to inform, listen, and respond. I am not sure but I believe; these channels also enjoyed some exclusivity in terms of information. The exact launch date was first communicated here followed by a press release.

End of September the New ETIOS website was launched. Facebook and Twitter users were the first to know. The website provided information on the ETIOS concept and had games, quizzes (all focused towards INDIA First concept). Winners were awarded with some ETIOS branded stuff… (I was not lucky to get one). Website used as a teaser and to further strengthen the India First message. The launch of the vehicle was live on this website. One will be surprised to note that the content of the website changed the minute the vehicle was officially launched @Bangalore. Such meticulous planning and exemplary execution.

In the history of car launches in India, I cannot think of any other example that can either match or come a near second to this.  Analyze this information and one will find some best practices for Multi Channel Marketing:

1. Use the channel as per its Merit
2. Each Channel needs to have its unique message but with a single objective
3. Distribute the three key functions of Marketing( Inform, Engage and Listen) across channels
4. Create an ecosystem to provide seamless experience to the customers
5. Continuously monitor and study the channel effectiveness
6. See if channels can be provided some exclusivity

I am not sure of the sales figures that ETIOS will have in future, but for the time being the marketing team has exactly delivered what they would have envisioned 10 Months back. Great work … This campaign is also INDIA’s FIRST …